MoHu -- an artistic junction between the rivers

Todd Reynolds, pictured, and Jake Holmes will perform a benefit concert as part of the Mohu Festival at 8:15 p.m. Saturday Oct. 6, at The Arts Center, 320 Broadway. For a full schedule of entertainment during the 10-day Mohu Festival, go to mohufest.com.

It's Mohu time again. What's a MoHu? It's a 10-day arts festival during which 150 or more area arts organizations in four counties join together to celebrate the abundance of artistic talent in the area. Mohu starts Friday and continues through Oct. 14 in Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties

Because the event is meant as a showcase for all the arts and entertainment organizations in the Capital District, MoHu is an acronym for the geographical areas surrounded by the Hudson and Mohawk rivers.

Last year, no one knew what the odd word meant. This year, people have become familiar with the term. The goal is no longer one of identity. The mission of MoHu is to get more people to participate in what is a banquet of cultural richness.

One of the participating organizations is EMPAC on the campus of Rensselaer Polytechnic in Troy. Jason Steven Murphy is the marketing director for EMPAC who, like dozens of other art professionals, is volunteering his services to bring attention to Mohu. His own experience at EMPAC makes him deeply appreciative of the need to encourage local audiences to experiment with new art and different forms of art and entertainment.

Advertisement

"We're (EMPAC) entering our fifth year of existence, which makes us still a relatively new kid on the block," Murphy said. "It wasn't long ago that people didn't know what EMPAC was. Now people know, but I'm not sure everyone has come to experience what we offer."

On a broader landscape, he said that's what Mohu is about. It's a public awareness campaign that brings attention to the arts and encourages participation and new experiences.

Indeed, to show their support of MoHu, EMPAC specifically booked dance performer Nora Chipaumira's new dance "Miriam" at the venue Friday and Saturday nights during Mohu's opening weekend.

The work is described as a "character-driven piece that looks at selfishness, ambition, perfection and sacrifice of the feminine ideal." Murphy believes it is the type of unique work that makes EMPAC such a vital force in the arts community, yet is the type of fresh experience that should be accessible to just about everyone.

He said the purpose of Mohu is simple -- "It's about coming together and helping each other."

Murphy points out that Mohu is especially beneficial to many small, under-funded groups. "We have a marketing and public relations staff that helps get our message to the public. Some organizations have no staff at all. Something like Mohu brings attention to everything that goes on in the region and that's a good thing for everyone, especially for the public," he said.

A problem for something as broad as Mohu is to find a focus. Instead of one massive showcase as was held last year, organizers this year are having four separate nights of showcase events, broken up geographically.

On Monday there will be a MoHu West night in Schenectady. Tuesday will be MoHu East in Troy. On Wednesday, the city of Albany hosts Mohu South, and MoHu North happens Thursday in Saratoga Springs.

The Tuesday event in Troy gives an idea of the diversity of the cultural organizations participating in Mohu.

MoHu East starts at noon when the Troy Music Hall hosts a free performance of the pop-rock group Annie & the Hedonists. Meanwhile, throughout the afternoon, a new public art installation will be created under the Green Island Bridge.

During the day, art and photo exhibits will be open to the public at Rensselaer County Historical Society, The Arts Center of the Capital Region, EMPAC, Hudson Valley Community College, the Sanctuary for Independent Media and several troy art galleries like Fulton Street Galleries, Artcentric and Art Gallery LLC. are participating as well.

Tuesday evening the Theatre Institute at Sage will present the play "War of the Worlds" at Russell Sage College, and at the Arts Center on River Street, Brian Melick will offer Drums Along the Mohu. The contemporary dance troupe Ellen Sinopoli Dancers will also perform in open rehearsal at the Arts Center.

Bear in mind, this wealth of talent is merely a taste of what will be offered throughout the Capital District the 10 days of the Mohu Festival.